Caribbean Jazz Project Birds Of A Feather CD

The Carribean Jazz Project: Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dario Eskanazi (piano); Ruben Rodriguez (bass); Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba); Dafnis Prieto (drums, timbales); Robert Quintero (congas, percussion).
Additional personnel: Randy Brecker (trumpet); Romero Lubambo (guitar); Mark Walker (drums); Cafe (percussion).
Recorded at Bennett Studios, Englewood, New Jersey between March & May 2003. Includes liner notes by Peter DeVito.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Personnel: Romero Lubambo (guitar); Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Dario Eskenazi (piano); Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba); Dafnis Prieto (drums, timbales); Mark Walker (drums); Robert Quintero (congas, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Phil Magnotti.
Liner Note Author: Peter Devito.
Recording information: Bennett Studios, Englewood, N.J (03/29/2003-05/12/2003).
The Caribbean Jazz Project has built its reputation by forging a colorful blend of Latin and Caribbean styles. Whether one references Dizzy Gillespie's pioneering work, or more recent work efforts in Afro-Cuban jazz, the Caribbean Jazz Project seems comfortable exploring and stretching the genre. Although the band's lineup has continued to evolve on Birds of a Feather, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, trumpeter Ray Vega, percussionist Robert Quintero, drummer Dafnis Prieto, and bassist Ruben Rodriguez remain from the original incarnation. A number of guests, including trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Romero Lubambo, and drummer Mark Walker help fill out the arrangements. With all of the high profile talent here, it's important to remember that Birds of a Feather worries less over standout solos than the overall tapestry. Lubambo offers a lovely lead in Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me a Bed Time Story," while Samuels' vibe solo shines in "Minor Mood," but in both cases the instrumental work is carefully woven into the overall fabric that is the Caribbean Jazz Project. The Project also explore Charles Mingus' "Weird Nightmare," along with a number of Samuels' originals. While it's impossible to guess if this disc will receive the same Grammy winning attention as The Gathering, fans will nonetheless be treated to the same enticing Latin mix they've come to expect from the band. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
The Caribbean Jazz Project, spearheaded by vibraphonist and marimba player Dave Samuels, creates unique, infectious music that explores a variety of Latin and Afro-Caribbean styles including rhumba, cha-cha, and samba. While the group has focused in the past on "Latinizing" jazz standards, reinventing them through the lens of Latin-leaning rhythmic and harmonic arrangements, BIRDS OF A FEATHER concentrates primarily on originals by Samuels, which are brought to life by the superior musicianship of the group and the album's special guests.
Acclaimed trumpeter Randy Brecker's work on Samuels's bossa nova-tinged "Picture Frame" offers a perfect counterpoint to the leader's shimmering vibraphone. Romero Lubambo's sophisticated guitar leads light up his own composition, "Valencia." Guest drummer Mark Walker joins core percussionists Dafnis Preito and Robert Quintero in creating the rich rhythmic tapestry that propels the record, and Ray Vega's trumpet and Dario Eskenazi's piano weave Samuels's smartly-written melodic lines throughout. The album's two covers, Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" and Charles Mingus' "Weird Nightmare," rewritten as a cha-cha and a bolero respectively, are surprisingly fresh in their new, groove-oriented incarnations. It is this same freshness, creativity, and Latin-soaked groove that fans of the band have come to expect, and BIRDS OF A FEATHER does not disappoint.